Various organisations in Nagaland observed the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by organising programmes on Sunday.
This year the theme is “Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises”. The focus of United Nations Office On Drug And Crime (UNODC) is to spread awareness about it so that a world free of drug abuse can be created. The motive is to fight off misinformation by sharing facts and by providing methods of treatment, prevention and care.
Dimapur District Users’ Network (DDUN) and District AIDS Prevention & Control Unit (DAPCU) supported by partner NGOs, development partners and well wishers observed the day at conference hall Hotel Acacia, Dimapur.
DC Dimapur, Sachin Jaiswal, who graced the event as special guest called upon the “agents of the government” to collaborate to fight social challenges, bring development, focus on education, entrepreneurship, and employment.
He said Dimapur being a transit point for drug peddlers, had given rise to lot of drug users and that drug abuse was not restricted to the rich anymore but also for the unemployed and those from underdeveloped parts of the state. He said that this issue can be curbed through development and education.
Advisor, DDUN, Temjennungsang Jamir, who spoke on significance of the day, highlighted this year’s theme and spoke about how increase in illicit drugs and trafficking posed a big challenge to health, society, and to families and individuals today. He encouraged everyone be good role models and to empower young people to deal with life challenges to address substance abuse.
Short speeches were also delivered by director, Bethesda Youth Welfare Center (BYWC)- Naga DAO, Dimapur unit, W. C. Humtsoe, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dimapur, Dr. I. Moatemjen, and educationist & social activist, Dr. Andrew Ahoto.
Humtsoe in his address stated how drug use in Nagaland was influenced by western societies and how it has been identified as a “status symbol” while CMO Dimapur highlighted on drug use, abuse, and its negative effects.
Dr. Andrew emphasised that such programmes should not be a one day affair but should be taken more seriously. He stressed on the need for reformative and transformative changes and said that such changes could be brought when “money driven illegal activities” were “nipped in the bud”.
Meren K, who currently worked as a counsellor at Prodigals Home shared his personal experiences with substance addiction, rehabilitation, etc and also acknowledged the efforts made by rehabilitation centers, church bodies, social welfare departments, and medical departments.
Earlier, District Programme Officer (DPO), DAPCU, Mecievinuo Zhotso delivered the welcome address and the programme began with an invocation by associate pastor, Grace to Glory God Church, Dimapur, Wati Imsong. Special presentations were presented by Youth Department of Zeme Baptist Church Dimapur and Jabu & friends. (Staff Reporter)
Wokha: Nagaland Users’ Network (NUN) TI Wokha & LWS NUN Wokha under the aegis of Wokha District Legal Service Authority and District AIDS Prevention and control Unit Wokha organised a programme at NUN TI DIC conference hall Wokha.
Speaking on the occasion advocate WDLSA, Yanro Humtsoe stated that drug abuse remained one of the biggest threats to health and the society in general and that it needed to be completely eliminated from the society. He also spoke on the present scenario of drug abuses in Wokha district.
Theme speaker program officer NETSU, Zachamo Ovung spoke on the increase in illegal interstate drugs smuggling including uniformed personnel. In order to address these issues, he suggested setting up of OST dispensing centers, increasing in number of days for take away dose and increase in client intact in OST center.
He also added that treatment facility must be made available by setting up more OST center not only for IDUs but for oral users and also setting up of de -addiction center/rehabilitation center and detox centers in every District Hospital. Nzio, Users Network Wokha shared his testimony.
The program was chaired by P.M NUN TI Wokha, Loyivani Patton, where she highlighted the significant of the programme and briefed on the organizational background, goals, vision, mission and serviced provided by NUN TI and NUN LWS Wokha. All together 26 participated from different organization and Department.
Noklak: On the occasion of International Day against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Noklak police trained OST clients undergoing drugs rehabilitation on livelihood skills and other handicrafts.
Noklak Police SP Dr. Pritpal Kaur said that this was 4th batch of drug rehabilitation patients where Noklak Police has taken the initiative to teach livelihood skills.
After providing them the needed medicine and proper counseling, training was imparted to them so that they can earn their livelihood after their OST course. They are urged to strictly follow tapering and reducing the dosage of OST medicines, Kaur said.
Earlier, pastor Longdon Baptist Church, Noklak, Penglang preached the word of God and gave counselling to them on reformation of one’s life and how to follow Lord’s will to make human life worthy of living.
Noklak district handloom and handicrafts council, president S. Khumo trained them to make various handicrafts from bamboo and asked them to earn livelihood by hard work. The programme chaired by manager of TI Project Noklak, J.Khumong began with an invocation by chaplain Noklak Police Fellowship Church, Mano.
All together 120 clients participated and clients of previous/ earlier batches shared their testimony.
PUN: Peren Users Network (PUN) and Nagaland Users Network in collaboration with DAPCU Peren and TFA TI Project with support from Jalukie Town Local Baptist Church organized a programme at JTLBC conference hall to mark the day.
At the programme, retainer Lawyer District Legal Service Authority, Peren, Asungbe N Hau gave a brief information on various Legal services available and encouraged the youths to lead a life free from conflict with law.
Ihusing Liegise, associate pastor JLTBA motivated the audience to have self control and read the Bible daily to make sure that they don’t succumb to temptation.
Director CCA, Nehpu Hangsing and project manager TFA TI project, Pausuigum also spoke at the programme. Altogether 54 person attended the programme.
Tuensang: Department of Health & Family Welfare Tuensang also observed the day at various health blocks under Tuensang district.
In Longkhim block, the programme was conducted at Baptist Church Longkhim Town with the School Students of Class 7-10 from Longkhim Town, while Family Welfare Assistant (FWA) Longkhim, Yungmei Phom shared about the significance of the day.
Quiz competition was also organised under the theme “Addressing drug challenges in health & humanitarian crisis”. Cash prizes were awarded to the winners of first, second and third position.
Assisi Centre: Assisi centre for integrated development through the support of MZF commemorated the day at its campus. At the programme, Sr Vanita trained nurse explained on different types of drugs, itss effects and the problems faced by the individual and the family members. Sr. Pramila, director explained on “trafficking. Why it takes place? What is the cause of trafficking? and What one should know”.
